MPP URGES IJC TO ADOPT ECO-FRIENDLY WATER LEVEL MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR LAKE ONTARIO AND THE ST. LAWRENCE RIVER
(Toronto) – In a statement in the Ontario Legislature today, Bob Runciman (MPP Leeds-Grenville) called on the International Joint Commission (IJC) to select a water level management plan for Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River that could “reverse the ecosystem damage that has occurred over the past 50 years.”
The Commission is a U.S./Canada organization with wide-ranging responsibilities for boundary waters between the two countries, including management of water levels. The Canadian co-chair of the IJC is Herb Gray, a former federal cabinet minister.
In his statement, Runciman point out that this past summer and fall water levels in the river were “the lowest in memory”.
“The current water level regulation plan has done serious damage to the ecosystem and plays havoc with recreational boating and the tourism related businesses impacted by unpredictable water levels” said the veteran MPP.
The IJC is expected to make a decision on a new water level management plan within the next few weeks.
STATEMENT TO THE LEGISLATURE
Speaker.
In the very near future the International Joint Commission will be making a decision on a water level management plan for Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River.
As you know Speaker, the St. Lawrence stretches along the complete southern border of my riding from Cardinal in the east to just past Gananoque to the west and also includes the bulk of the Thousand Islands, a recreational paradise and tourism magnet.
This past summer and fall we experienced the lowest river water levels in memory and the upcoming decision by the International Joint Commission is critically important to the environmental and economic well-being of this treasured waterway.
This week I wrote to the Rt. Honourable Herb Gray, Canadian co-chair of the International Joint Commission, joining with New York State Congressman John McHugh in calling on the Commission to select Plan B+, a plan that strives to return the Lake Ontario-St.Lawrence system to a more natural regime and begin to reverse the ecosystem damage that has occurred over the past 50 years.
The bi-national Lake Ontario/St. Lawrence River Study Board recommended Plan B+ following a 5 year study and scientific review and I strongly urge its selection.
